The shortest runway at Hector
International Airport was reopened on Tuesday after a
three-month long construction project to reconfigure the
southeast end of the airport.

The
runway, designated as 13/31, was 4,199 feet long and 150
feet wide. Due to the condition of the runway
protection zone and development south of the airport, it
was decided by the Municipal Airport Authority to
shorten the runway. Approximately 400 feet and one
taxiway were removed from the southeast end of the
runway. The runway is now 3,800 feet long and 150
feet wide.

The shorter runway will have no impact
on the size of aircraft that regularly use it.
This runway is used mainly for flight training in
smaller single-engine aircraft. In addition to
this runway, there are two other runways at the airport.
The longest runway is 9,546 feet and a crosswind runway
that is 6,300 feet. The longer runway will be
reconstructed next year at an estimated cost of $26
million.

In addition to the work on the runway,
three taxiways were either reconstructed or removed.
Work is continuing on one taxiway. The entire project
should be completed within the next month.

The project was bid in April.
The general construction of the project was awarded to
Northern Improvement of Fargo for the amount of $2.1
million. The electrical portion was awarded to
Strata Corporation of Grand Forks for $146,000.
The Federal Aviation Administration participated in 90%
of the cost of this project.